Remittance
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows eligible non-EU nationals to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to the visa conditions and applicable entry requirements. It may be used for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and certain transit situations.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Short visits or permitted transit |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Area | Schengen Area |
| Common purposes | Tourism, business and family visits |
| Entry options | Single-entry or multiple-entry |
| Issuing authority | Competent authority of the relevant Schengen country |
Schengen Visa Meaning
A Schengen visa is a travel authorisation for qualifying short-term visits to the Schengen Area, which currently includes 29 European countries. The Schengen Area and the European Union are not identical. For example, Ireland is an EU member but does not participate in the Schengen Area, while Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland participate in Schengen without being EU member states.
Whether a traveller needs a Schengen visa depends on their nationality, purpose of travel and individual circumstances.
Types of Schengen Visa
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Single-entry visa: Generally allows one entry into the Schengen Area during its validity.
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Multiple-entry visa: Allows multiple entries during its validity, subject to applicable stay limits and conditions.
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Airport transit visa: Allows certain travellers to transit through the international area of a Schengen airport without entering the Schengen Area.
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Limited territorial validity visa: Valid only for the Schengen countries specifically indicated on the visa.
Schengen Visa vs National Visa
A Schengen visa is generally intended for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A national visa is issued under an individual country's national rules and may apply to longer stays or purposes such as study, employment or residence.
ETIAS is different from a Schengen visa. It is a separate travel authorisation for eligible visa-exempt travellers and does not replace a Schengen visa when one is required.